"Adults handle grown-up stuff, and we have our own games," said William, puffing out his cheeks with frustration, "We don't have
to worry about adults because there's no way we can tell them what to do."
"Yes," Nina nodded in agreement, "Mira and | didn't want our parents to split up, but they did it anyway. Adults don't listen to kids,
and they just expect us to listen to them."
"I hate grown-ups," William grumbled.
Nina sighed, "Weren't adults just like us once? Wishing they could be part of family decisions but failing. Then they grow up and
becthe skind of parents, never taking their own kids' opinions seriously. Maybe we'll end up the sway."
"I sure won't," William protested, pursing his lips, "I'll definitely respect my kids, you know?"
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Kane clapped him on the shoulder, "Maybe you will, maybe you won't. People change. You might grow up and think your kid's ideas
were pretty childish."
Skyler nodded vigorously, like a bobblehead, "Yeah, when | was little, | wished for a big brother to protectand kept bugging
Mom to make it happen. Now I've got one, but he's a total jerk. Also, | used to wish I'd never grow up, just stay little forever. But
getting bigger ain't so bad. I'm tall and strong now; nobody dares to pick on me."
William's head drooped. Did everyone think he was just being a brat? Should he not have protested against his mom and Uncle
Leopold having a baby sister? No one seemed to understand how he felt.
"You guys go ahead and play. | want to be alone for a bit."
"Okay then," Skyler said, and he and Nina took off to play with their robotic dog.
Kane wrapped an arm around William's shoulder, "Hey, remember, my dad is your dad too. Whether you like it or not, he's your
real dad, and that's something you can't change. Don't always be at odds with him, okay?"
William pouted, "I never wanted to acknowledge him. He's nothing compared to my dad."
Kane's face showed a mix of confusion and affection, "In my eyes, our dad is the best dad in the world."
"He's your dad, not mine," William corrected him, "When | was kidnapped, he didn't cto save me. It was my dad Arnold who
did. If not for him, I'd be gone."
"Dad did go after you. How could he not?" Kane insisted.
"The point is, Arnold saved me. Uncle Leopold doesn't cut it," William said, crossing his arms with a defiant scowl.
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Kane let out a gentle sigh, "Dad wants to be good to you. He didn't know you were Liam. If he did, he'd treat you like gold."
"Maybe, but we're already at odds," William countered. He could tell Leopold disliked him, and even if he knew he was Liam, that
dislike wouldn't just vanish. At best, he'd just stop scolding him.
"My dad wouldn't hold a grudge against a kid like you," Kane said, "Look, he gave you the samount in your Christmas box as
he gave me. That shows he's not mad at you. Dad doesn't sweat the small stuff, and you're just too sensitive."
"He did it for Mom's sake, not wanting to shortchange my gift. Besides, I'm still his nephew," William argued.
Kane shook his head, "No, that's not how it is. In the Stirling family, illegitimate kids get only half of what the legitimate ones do.
That's the rule. Look at our other cousins, and if they're not legitimate, they get less."
William was taken aback, "There's a rule like that?"
"Yep," Kane confirmed, "The Stirlings are clear on legitimacy. You're a legitimate son, and why act like you're not?"